Land & Sea - LIVE (nearly) from Amsterdam and ms Rotterdam 15 day Atlantic Sojourn - October 7th, 2023

[kazu]

46 minutes ago, beachbum6264 said:

Your pictures are wonderful! What kind of camera do you have? Looking for one for me....

Thank you for a wonderful review.

 

I don’t have a camera.  I realized I never used it on 2 trips so I stopped taking it.  They are all on my IPhone 11

[kazu]

I know a lot think HAL’s carpets roll up at 9 PM but they don’t.

 

Thankfully @Hlitner (since you think all HAL passengers go to bed at 9). We have been rocking and rolling and having fun,   The clocks go back one hour tonight thankfully  as it is close to midnight.

 

Clocks went back and then forward for the next port but now it should all be back.

 

That’s good as it’’s Meet and Greet tomorrow.  And wine tastings.  And mariner reception.

 

A comment on the shows - the pianist was wonderful.  Cantare was great and will do a different show for us later and the “Comedian” is not really a comedian.  He’s talented and brilliant.

 

Hopefully @0106 Tina will post on that.  I don’t want to steal her fire.

 

I ended the night in the casino with this.

 

 

 

It was only $900 but I think I can afford to play for the remainder of the cruise 😂 

 

 

[bennybear]

I am so enjoying your wonderful photos, amazing food!  I am drooling!    And congrats on the winnings!  I am so glad that fortune is smiling!  
 

some Canadian swans just in case you get lonely, lol! 

[0106]

It was nice to wake up in Brest, France without an alarm clock on Wednesday morning.  We did a 4 hour tour of Quimper in the afternoon, just right for us after several long days.  My DH is fascinated with the architecture

 

 

 

 

We saw our first show in the World Stage tonight,Tom Crosbie, the Performing Nerd.  Although billed as a comedian and magician, nerd best describes him.  He was very entertaining and funny using The Complete Works of Shakespeare, a Rubik’s Cube and Scrabble tiles as props.  We will return for his second show!

 

Very much looking forward to our 1st sea day.

[pmjnh]

4 hours ago, 0106 said:

It was nice to wake up in Brest, France without an alarm clock on Wednesday morning.  We did a 4 hour tour of Quimper in the afternoon, just right for us after several long days.  My DH is fascinated with the architecture

 

 

 

 

We saw our first show in the World Stage tonight,Tom Crosbie, the Performing Nerd.  Although billed as a comedian and magician, nerd best describes him.  He was very entertaining and funny using The Complete Works of Shakespeare, a Rubik’s Cube and Scrabble tiles as props.  We will return for his second show!

 

Very much looking forward to our 1st sea day.

I agree with your DH, the architecture is so unique !! So French. I am making a note to visit Quimper next year on this voyage. 

[kazu]

I will catch up shortly, with luck.

 

Meet and Greet was today.  Around 170 people based on name tags not picked up and 2 couples had the courtesy to advise they couldn’t make it.  One couple tested positive (like I, they test themselves on these cruises and flights.) and sadly another took a tumble in Bruges and injured themselves.

 

BBKings was absolutely packed to the rafters 👍 

 

Many, many thanks to Tina @0106 who was a huge help in setting up, helping in the meeting and settling for our Poker Run and cabin crawl.  

 

I was in no position to take pics - thankfully @Wis posted one on our roll call.  I told them I was stealing it 😉 

 

YES, we had officers.  A pile of them.  They told me with such a LONG cruise (this is a long cruise????) and turn out they wanted to come.

 

We had the Hotel Gen Mgr, Beverage Mgr, Food & Beverage Dir, Assistant Hotel General Mgr, Finance Mgr, Restaurant Operations Mgr, Guest Services Mgr., Group & Event Co-ordinator (of course), Executive Housekeeping & Entertainment Director.  

 

 

I think it went well - at least if I am to believe what I was told by people after

 

 

 

[Caribbean Chris]

After all your efforts, it looks like a smashing success! 

[StLouisCruisers]

Looks like a fabulous Meet and Greet!  I love that the officers decided to show up and hope that continues.  I hope everyone behaved themselves and didn't barrage them with complaints!  SMH!  

[pmjnh]

@kazu, clearly you are a fabulous organizer. Thats an amazing turnout. Kudos! 

[kazu]

22 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Looks like a fabulous Meet and Greet!  I love that the officers decided to show up and hope that continues.  I hope everyone behaved themselves and didn't barrage them with complaints!  SMH!  

 

 

they didn’t stay for the whole thing.  Their timing was good and everyone on the roll call was very respectful.  Perfect!

[seagarsmoker]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

 

they didn’t stay for the whole thing.  Their timing was good and everyone on the roll call was very respectful.  Perfect!

That is great to read. I only attend these now because my face would turn red when I hosted them, and someone was always disrespectful...

[BetsyS.]

Jacqui - Congratulations! You had a great turnout. I'm glad everyone was respectful.

[kazu]

32 minutes ago, seagarsmoker said:

That is great to read. I only attend these now because my face would turn red when I hosted them, and someone was always disrespectful...

 

That’s a shame.  So far so good for me for nearly 10 years.  Once nearly 10 years ago someone started and I just said ‘this is not the time nor the place’ and the other roll call members quieted him down for me.

Everyone today was very enthusiastic and appreciated the officers and management for taking the time to come today.  They were thanked profusely by me and everyone here with their clapping, believe me.

 

Great roll call - I tend to be very lucky that way 🙂 

 

 

 

 

 

[canadianbear]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

That’s a shame.  So far so good for me for nearly 10 years.  Once nearly 10 years ago someone started and I just said ‘this is not the time nor the place’ and the other roll call members quieted him down for me.

Everyone today was very enthusiastic and appreciated the officers and management for taking the time to come today.  They were thanked profusely by me and everyone here with their clapping, believe me.

 

Great roll call - I tend to be very lucky that way 🙂 

 

 

 

 

 

You do an amazing job organizing and it shows on how many show up.  Having the officers there as well is so nice and I’m glad to see it back.  Not sure if they go to all but seems the larger groups they are.

 

I have been following along on your adventures (but don’t post much).  Happy everything is going well and am enjoying your commentary as well as photos since I will never be in that part of the world.  Really appreciate the time it takes for you to post everything too. 

[kazu]

Here is today’s programme for you:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note - because of the Motion of the Ocean the dancers are cancelled and Cantare will be performing a second show tonight, early.

[0106]

We had a wonderful dinner at Canaletto tonight.  I put my phone on the table; I had every intention of photographing each dish.  
 

We started with warm olive and rosemary bread with delicious tapenade & roasted red pepper spread. (Unfortunately, I forgot to take the picture until we had eaten all the bread.)

DH loved his veal and sage meatballs.

My grilled shrimp was delicious too.

We shared a Canaletto salad.

 

I had the spaghetti with clams and shrimp.  I love their homemade pasta.  DH had osso buco, one of his favorite dishes.  Oops…forgot to take pictures.  We share the gelato trio:  rum raisin, pistachio and chocolate hazelnut.  (Still not thinking about taking pictures.)

 

We really like Canaletto for many reasons and had a delicious meal with excellent service there tonight.

[bennybear]

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

We had a wonderful dinner at Canaletto tonight.  I put my phone on the table; I had every intention of photographing each dish.  
 

We started with warm olive and rosemary bread with delicious tapenade & roasted red pepper spread. (Unfortunately, I forgot to take the picture until we had eaten all the bread.)

DH loved his veal and sage meatballs.

My grilled shrimp was delicious too.

We shared a Canaletto salad.

 

I had the spaghetti with clams and shrimp.  I love their homemade pasta.  DH had osso buco, one of his favorite dishes.  Oops…forgot to take pictures.  We share the gelato trio:  rum raisin, pistachio and chocolate hazelnut.  (Still not thinking about taking pictures.)

 

We really like Canaletto for many reasons and had a delicious meal with excellent service there tonight.

Ooh,  my DH is so jealous, that gelato trio!

[kazu]

Here is yesterday’s Lido menu for lunch and dinner:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Here is the lunch menu in the MDR (pretty much the same every day so I won’t repeat):

 

 

 

and yesterday’s MDR menu:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Last night I had the Port to Table (the cod)

 

 

Sorry I forgot and had cut into it.  OMG this ship can cook fish.  It was delish - really, really good.

 

I also had a small taste of the Borscht -quite good.  A lady at the table next to me makes her own and was very fussy and gave it a high rating.

 

And I’m sure you have noticed that crisps are back on the menu.  I had the cherry one last night.

 

 

YUM.

 

And Club Orange has the same tea as the PG - YAY.  And a proper tea pot 🙂 

 

 

[kazu]

Bingos started yesterday.

 

It’s changed a smidge.  The mega deal is still $59 but you can pay $5 more to have a fireball.

 

they draw a card for each game and if you are the winner and have the number drawn you double your winnings.  

 

I did pretty well - let’s just say that the name Jacqui was an unpopular one with a few 😂 😂 

 

I suspect that is the end of my luck 😉 

[kazu]

Mariner’s reception was last night in the Lido mid ship.  It was SO packed I decided to skip it.

 

And when I say packed, I mean sardine city.

 

Listened to the band last night with some CC friends and really enjoyed the talent.

 

Today is our second sea day - on the way to Ponta Delgada.  The weather is beautiful and seas are much calmer than yesterday.  I didn’t think the motion of the ocean was bad yesterday but I know some passengers were contrary minded 😉 

[kazu]

Here is today’s Daily Programme:

 

 

 

 

[puppycanducruise]

@0106 Love the bread and roasted red pepper spread at Canaletto.  I could (almost) make a meal of it.

[0106]

One thing I always look forward to is the guest lecturer.  I missed the 1st lecture yesterday due to the M & G.  I went this morning.Dr. Hardy was a bit dry.  My DH left after 10 minutes.  Perhaps it was the topic.  I will give him one more chance on Sunday when he speaks about the marine life of the Atlantic.